Michigan Bill Introduced To Protect Rights Of Foster Parents

We told you recently how two grandparents in Michigan had been denied the opportunity to foster their grandchild unless they agreed to several anti-gun requirements. A Michigan judge even told William Johnson and his wife Jill, “We know we are violating numerous constitutional rights here, but if you do not comply, we will remove the boy from your home.”

Now two Michigan legislators have introduced a measure to try to correct the situation.

According to a report at wmnufm.org, State Senators Tom Casperson and Tonya Schuitmaker have filed the bill that would allow foster parents to carry a firearm in a holster. Casperson told the radio station that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has no authority to force someone to give up their constitutional Second Amendment rights. Schuitmaker said the DHHS is telling people they can’t be trusted, and that the government needs to watch over them.

We’ll keep you updated as the legislation is considered.

New Service Will Connect Patients With 2A-Friendly Docs

Institutional medicine has increasingly taken an overtly anti-gun stance in recent years, using the lens of “public health” to discourage patients from exercising their Second Amendment rights. Now an online referral service will help to empower patients by directing them to doctors who will respect their privacy and right to bear arms.

Doctors for Responsible Gun Ownership (DRGO) has announced the release of 2ADoc.com, a free online resource that allows medical professionals to sign up and receive patient referrals. The list will not be published, so doctors don’t have to worry about a negative impact on their careers. But patients will be able to receive medical attention without worrying about gun politics becoming an issue.

We applaud DRGO’s efforts on behalf of patients and their Second Amendment rights. We’re also curious to see whether services like this might start to convince doctors that respecting their patients’ privacy on firearms is simply good business.

Tucson Finally Ends Illegal Gun Destruction

Last month, the Arizona Supreme Court struck down a Tucson city ordinance that allowed for the destruction of confiscated firearms in violation of state law. Since 2013, 4,820 guns either seized by police or turned in by citizens have been destroyed—a policy that the NRA noted is designed to deliberately suppress legal gun ownership in the state.

Earlier this week, the Tucson City Council—comprised of seven Democrats—voted 4-3 to end the practice and withdraw its legal challenge to SB 1487. As the Arizona Daily Starreports, the city would have had to forgo $57 million in state-shared revenues if it defied the high court ruling.

The total value of the guns destroyed is estimated by the Star to be around $600,000. Rep. Mark Finchem claims that one alone was a collectible worth more than $10,000. In the next few months, the city will finally transition to auctioning off seized or turned-in guns to licensed gun dealers.

Permitless Carry Heads To Michigan Senate

A package of permitless carry bills has moved to the Michigan Senate for further consideration, bringing the Great Lakes State one step closer to becoming the 13th in the nation to recognize residents’ Second Amendment right to carry a firearm for self-defense in the way they see fit.

The bills, HB 4416, HB 4417, HB 4418 and HB 4419, would eliminate the requirement to obtain a Concealed Pistol License in order to carry a concealed firearm. If passed, the bills would bring Michigan’s concealed-carry laws more in line with those governing open carry, which is allowed in many places without a permit. It would also fix a potential snare in current firearms law: If an otherwise law-abiding citizen is carrying openly without a license, then puts on a coat even temporarily, he or she has committed a felony.

As in other constitutional carry states, the current permitting structure will be retained so that those wishing to take advantage of reciprocity agreements with other states may continue to do so.

Ohio Taco Bell Employees Shoot Masked Robbers

When two masked men entered a Cleveland Taco Bell last Wednesday, they both pulled guns and ordered the employees to the ground. For one of those robbers, it would be his last order.

According to responding officers, the masked intruders entered the establishment shortly before 3 a.m. Employees were told to get face down on the ground, and as the duo approached the cash registers, three employees—who were also armed—opened fire on the suspects.

One of the robbers, 24-year-old De’Carlo Jackson, was hit multiple times. Although first aid was administered while waiting for EMS to arrive, Jackson later died at a nearby medical center. The second suspect ran out of the restaurant and remains at large, and the investigation continues.